CWUIC · California Wildland-Urban Interface Code

What must the General Plan safety element include for SRA and LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones?

If your city or county contains State Responsibility Areas (SRA) or Local Responsibility Area Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, your General Plan’s safety element must be reviewed and updated as needed to address wildfire risk (per § 612.1), and any draft element or amendment must be sent to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and every local fire‑protection agency at least 90 days before adoption (per § 612.2).

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Last reviewed: July 6, 2026

What the code requires — 2-4 sentences

The safety element of a city or county General Plan must be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as a State Responsibility Area (SRA) and for land classified as an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. This is the core obligation in § 612.1. In addition, a draft safety element (or draft amendment) must be submitted at least 90 days before adoption or amendment to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and to every local agency that provides fire protection in the jurisdiction when the county contains SRAs or contains a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone — the submission requirement is set out in § 612.2.

The safety element must be kept current to address wildfire risk where the state or local maps show SRA or LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, and the draft must be shared with the State Board and local fire agencies at least 90 days before adoption.

Requirements in detail

1) Review and update duty (what to do)

  • The jurisdiction must review and update the General Plan safety element as necessary to address wildfire risk for land in SRA and LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones. This is a programmatic obligation: the safety element must reflect and respond to those mapped high-risk areas. See § 612.1.

2) Submission timing and recipients (how and when)

  • A draft safety element or draft amendment must be submitted at least 90 days prior to adoption/amendment to:
    • The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, and
    • Every local agency that provides fire protection to territory in the city or county.
  • The 90‑day submission applies when the county contains any State Responsibility Areas, or when the city/county contains areas designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. See § 612.2.

Decision-relevant dimensions (quick reference table)

Decision dimension Required value / action Code Reference
Areas that trigger review/update Land classified SRA or LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone § 612.1
Frequency / timing of update “Reviewed and updated as necessary” (no fixed interval in § 612.1 — update when needed to address risk) § 612.1
Draft submission lead time At least 90 days prior to adoption or amendment § 612.2
Recipients of draft State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection + every local fire-protection agency for the jurisdiction § 612.2
Where submission required Counties that contain SRAs; cities/counties that contain a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone § 612.2

How the statutory references work

  • § 612.1 ties the safety-element duty to Government Code authority (Government Code § 65302(g)(3)) and identifies the map-based triggers (SRA and LRA Very High).
  • § 612.2 implements the procedural step of pre-submission and identifies who must receive the draft and the 90‑day lead time.

Exceptions & special cases

  • The text of § 612.2 conditions the 90‑day submission requirement on the existence of State Responsibility Areas in the county or a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone in the city/county. If a jurisdiction contains neither, the section as written does not impose the same submission trigger. The code language itself frames the submission requirement in those territorial terms.
  • The CWUIC text also provides that the State Board will review and may recommend changes (see related § 612.3) and that the local legislative body must consider and respond to those recommendations before adoption (see related § 612.4). Those review/adoption steps are separate process rules — they do not remove the 90‑day advance-submission requirement in § 612.2.
  • If you need a jurisdiction-specific interpretation (e.g., whether a particular map polygon qualifies as an LRA Very High zone), that determination relies on the hazard maps maintained under Government Code and Title 14 processes; § 612.1/612.2 do not define mapping criteria — consult the mapped designations and the State Fire Marshal processes referenced elsewhere in the code. The retrieved sections do not provide further mapping criteria.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming the rule only applies to new development. Wrong — § 612.1 requires updating the safety element itself to address risk across SRA and LRA Very High zones, not only new permits.
  • Missing the 90‑day deadline: submitting the draft fewer than 90 days before adoption is a frequent procedural error. The code requires at least 90 days advance submission under § 612.2.
  • Sending the draft only to the State Board and not to all local fire agencies that provide protection in the jurisdiction (or vice versa). § 612.2 requires transmission to both the State Board and every local agency that provides fire protection.
  • Treating the obligation as optional where mapped SRA or LRA Very High zones exist. The duty to review/update is mandatory for those mapped lands under § 612.1.

Worked example — concrete scenario with dates and steps

Scenario: County Alpha contains mapped State Responsibility Areas (SRA) and a small incorporated town in the county has mapped LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone areas. The town council plans to adopt a safety‑element amendment on November 1.

Steps the town must take:

  1. Prepare the draft safety element amendment addressing wildfire risk for the town’s mapped SRA / LRA Very High areas (per § 612.1).
  2. Calculate the submission deadline: subtract 90 days from the planned adoption date. For adoption on November 1, the draft must be submitted no later than August 3 (90 days before Nov 1) to:
    • The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, and
    • Every local agency that provides fire protection to territory in town/county. This is required by § 612.2.
  3. After submission, expect the State Board (and local agencies) to review and recommend changes within the review periods established in related sections (see § 612.3 — review by the Board — and § 612.4 — consideration of recommendations during adoption). The town should track and respond to those recommendations before final adoption.

Result: Meeting the August 3 submission ensures compliance with the 90‑day requirement and allows the State Board and local fire agencies time to review and provide recommendations before the November 1 adoption.

Related provisions

  • § 610.1 — Fire Safe Development Regulations applicability for construction in SRA and LRA Very High zones (context for safety-element measures).
  • § 611.1 – § 611.4 — Subdivision review survey and Board recommendations for subdivisions without adequate secondary egress in SRA/LRA Very High zones.
  • § 612.3 — Review by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (boards may review draft/ existing safety element and recommend changes).
  • § 612.4 — Adoption step: legislative bodies must consider and respond to Board/local agency recommendations before adoption.
  • Chapter 6 (Sections 602–603, etc.) — Fire protection plans, vegetation/landscape plan content and defensible‑space/vegetation requirements that the safety element may need to reflect or coordinate with. See Sections 602.1–602.3.2 and 603.1–603.4.2.1 for details.

If you want, I can produce a short checklist tailored to your jurisdiction’s adoption calendar (submission dates, recipients, and sample transmittal language) based on these sections.

Code references

Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

  • CWUIC § 602.2 High relevance — show source text

    602.2 Contents. The fire protection plan shall be based on a project-specific wildfire hazard assessment that includes considerations of location, topography, aspect and climatic and fire history.

    The plan shall identify conformance with all applicable state wildfire protection regulations, statutes and applicable local ordi- nances, whichever are more restrictive.

    The plan shall address fire department access, egress, road and address signage and water supply in addition to fuel reduction in accordance with Public Resources Code (PRC) 4290; the defensible space requirements in accordance with PRC 4291 or Government Code 51182; and the applicable building codes and standards for wildfire safety. The plan shall identify mitigation measures to address the project’s specific wildfire risk and shall include the information required in Sections 602.3 through 602.3.2.

    602.3 Project information. The final fire protection plan shall be reviewed and approved prior to start of construction.

    602.3.1 Preliminary fire protection plan. When a preliminary fire protection plan is submitted, it shall include, at a minimum, the following: 1. Total size of the project. 2. Information on the adjoining properties on all sides, including current land uses, and if known, existing structures and densi- ties, planned construction, natural vegetation, environmental restoration plans, roads and parks. 3. A map with all project boundary lines, property lines, slope contour lines, proposed structure foundation footprints, and proposed roads and driveways. The map shall identify project fuel modification zones and method of identifying the fuel modification zone boundaries.

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    FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

    602.3.2 Final fire protection plan. Final fire protection plan shall include items listed in Section 602.3.1 and the following: 1. A map identifying all proposed plants in the fuel modification zones with a legend that includes a symbol for each proposed plant species. The plan shall include specific information on each species proposed, including but not limited to: 1.1. The plant life-form;

    1.2. The scientific and common name; and

    1.3. The expected height and width for mature growth. 2. Identification of irrigated and nonirrigated zones. 3. Requirements for vegetation reduction around emergency access and evacuation routes. 4. Identification of points of access for equipment and personnel to maintain vegetation in common areas. 5. Legally binding statements regarding community responsibility for maintenance of fuel modification zones. 6. Legally binding statements to be included in covenants, conditions and restrictions regarding property owner responsibili- ties for vegetation maintenance.

    SECTION 603— VEGETATION PLAN

    603.1 General. Planting of vegetation for new landscaping shall be selected to reduce vegetation in proximity to a structure and to maintain vegetation as it matures.

    603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.

  • CWUIC § 102.4 High relevance — show source text

    Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations.

    The regulations in Chapter 5 establish minimum standards for the location, design and construction of buildings and structures based on construction within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Area.

    The construction provisions of Chapter 5 are intended to supplement the requirements of the California Building Code and Califor- nia Residential Code and address mitigation of the unique hazards posed to buildings by wildfire and to reduce the hazards of building fires spreading to wildland fuels. This is accomplished by requiring ignition-resistant construction materials.

    Chapter 6 Fire Protection Requirements.

    Chapter 6 contains additional requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.

    The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.

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    The chapter includes mitigation strategies to reduce the hazards of fire originating within a structure spreading to wildland and fire originating in wildland spreading to structures.

    Chapter 7 Referenced Standards.

    Chapter 7 lists all of the product and installation standards and codes that are referenced throughout Chapters 1 through 6 and includes identification of the promulgators and the section numbers in which the standards and codes are referenced. As stated in Section 102.4, these standards and codes become an enforceable part of the code (to the prescribed extent of the reference) as if printed in the body of the code.

    Appendix A General Requirements.

    Appendix A, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide fire-protection measures supplemental to those found in Chapter 6 to reduce the threat of wildfire in a wildland-urban interface area and improve the capability for controlling such fires. This appendix includes detailed requirements for vegetation control; the code official’s authority to close wildland-interface areas in times of high fire danger; control of fires, fireworks usage and other sources of ignition; storage of hazardous materials and combustibles; bans on the dumping of waste materials and ashes and coals in wildlandurban interface areas; protection of pumps and water supplies; and limits on temporary uses within the wildland-urban interface area.

    Appendix B Vegetation Management Plan.

    Appendix B, while not part of the code, can become part of the code when specifically included in the adopting ordinance. Its purpose is to provide criteria for submitting vegetation management plans, specifying their content and establishing a criterion for considering vegetation management as being a fuel modification.

    Appendix C Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework.

  • CWUIC § 610.2 High relevance — show source text

    610.2 Subdivision map findings. Pursuant to Government Code (GC), Section 66474.02, before approving a tentative map, or a parcel map for which a tentative map was not required, for an area located in an SRA or an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as both are defined in GC Section 51177, a legislative body of a county, except as provided in GC Section 66474.02(c), shall make findings regarding compliance with the SRA Fire Safe Regulations and the availability of structural fire protection and suppression services. These findings and accompanying map shall be transmitted to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and comply with the requirements in Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Article 1.

    SECTION 611—SUBDIVISION REVIEW SURVEY

    611.1 Subdivision identification. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 4290.5 and Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Article 2, the Board, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, shall survey local governments to identify existing subdivi- sions, as defined in Article 2, located in an SRA area or an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone without a secondary egress route that is at significant fire risk.

    611.2 Fire safety recommendations. The Board, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the local government that identified the subdivision, shall develop recommendations to improve the subdivision’s fire safety. The Board shall provide the final recommendations to the local government that identified the subdivision and to the residents of the subdivision.

    611.3 Implementation. The Board shall maintain a list of the subdivisions identified and the status of the implementation of the recom- mendations provided.

    611.4 Re-survey. Beginning July 1, 2021, the Board shall conduct this survey every 5 years.

    SECTION 612—GENERAL PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT

    612.1 General. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65302(g)(3), the safety element of a city or county’s General Plan shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as SRA, as defined in Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code, and land classified as an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as defined in Section 51177.

    612.2 Submission to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire agencies. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65302.5(b)(1), the draft element of, or draft amendment to, the safety element of a county or a city’s general plan shall be submitted to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and to every local agency that provides fire protection to territory in the city or county at least 90 days prior to either of the following: the adoption or amendment to the safety element of its general plan for each county that contains state responsibility areas; or the adoption or amendment to the safety element of its general plan for each city or county that contains a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone as defined pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 51177.

  • CWUIC § 603.2 High relevance — show source text

    603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.

    603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.

    603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.

    603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.

    Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.

    To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.

    603.4.1 Shrubs. All new plantings of shrubs shall comply with the following: 1. Shrubs shall not exceed 6 feet (1829 mm) in height. 2. Groupings of shrubs are limited to a maximum aggregate diameter of 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Shrub groupings shall be separated from other groupings a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm). 4. Shrub groupings shall be separated from structures a minimum of 30 feet (9144 mm). 5. Where shrubs are located below or within a tree’s drip line, the lowest tree branch shall be a minimum of three times the height of the understory shrubs or 10 feet (3048 mm), whichever is greater.

    603.4.2 Trees. Trees shall be managed as follows within the 30-foot zone (9144 mm) of a structure: 1. New trees shall be planted and maintained so that the tree’s drip line at maturity is a minimum of 10 feet (3048 mm) from any combustible structure. 2. The horizontal distance between crowns of new trees and crowns of adjacent trees shall not be less than 10 feet (3048 mm). 3. Existing trees shall be trimmed to provide a minimum separation of 10 feet (3048 mm) away from chimney and stovepipe outlets per California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1299.03.

  • CWUIC § 611.3 High relevance — show source text

    611.3 Implementation. The Board shall maintain a list of the subdivisions identified and the status of the implementation of the recom- mendations provided.

    611.4 Re-survey. Beginning July 1, 2021, the Board shall conduct this survey every 5 years.

    SECTION 612—GENERAL PLAN SAFETY ELEMENT

    612.1 General. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65302(g)(3), the safety element of a city or county’s General Plan shall be reviewed and updated as necessary to address the risk of fire for land classified as SRA, as defined in Section 4102 of the Public Resources Code, and land classified as an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as defined in Section 51177.

    612.2 Submission to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire agencies. Pursuant to Government Code Section 65302.5(b)(1), the draft element of, or draft amendment to, the safety element of a county or a city’s general plan shall be submitted to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and to every local agency that provides fire protection to territory in the city or county at least 90 days prior to either of the following: the adoption or amendment to the safety element of its general plan for each county that contains state responsibility areas; or the adoption or amendment to the safety element of its general plan for each city or county that contains a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone as defined pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 51177.

    612.3 Review by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire agencies. The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection shall, and a local agency may, review the draft or an existing safety element and recommend changes to the planning agency within 60 days of its receipt regarding the requirements in Government Code Section 65302.5(b)(2). The review by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection is governed by Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Article 6.

    612.4 Adoption of the safety element. Prior to the adoption of its draft element or draft amendment, the board of supervisors of the county or the council of a city shall consider the recommendations, if any, made by the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and any local agency that provides fire protection to territory in the city or county. The board of supervisors or city council shall respond to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and any local agency providing fire protection in compliance with Government Code Section 65302.5(b)(3) and (b)(4) and Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Article 6.

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    CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE – MATRIX ADOPTION TABLE

    CHAPTER 7 – REFERENCED STANDARDS

  • CWUIC § 6-1 High relevance — show source text

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    6 FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

    User notes:

    About this chapter: In addition to the building construction requirements in the California Building Code and California Residential Code, this chapter contains requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.

    The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.

    The chapter includes mitigation strategies to reduce the hazards of fire originating within a structure spreading to wildland and fire originating in wildland spreading to structures. These strategies are included in the following requirements:

    1. Development of fire protection plans.

    2. Development of landscape plans and long-term vegetation management.

    3. Creation and maintenance of defensible space to protect structures and subdivisions.

    SECTION 601—GENERAL

    601.1 Scope. The provisions of this chapter establish general requirements for new and existing buildings, structures and premises located within wildland-urban interface (WUI) areas .

    601.2 Objective. The objective of this chapter is to establish minimum requirements to mitigate conditions that might cause a fire originating in a structure to ignite vegetation in the wildland-urban interface (WUI) area, and conversely, a wildfire burning in vegetative fuels to transmit fire to buildings and threaten to destroy life, overwhelm fire suppression capabilities or result in large property losses.

    601.3 Chapter 6 definitions. Where used in this chapter, the term listed below shall be defined as follows:

    DEFENSIBLE SPACE. The buffer that landowners are required to create on their property between a “Building or Structure” and the plants, brush and trees or other items surrounding the “Building or Structure” that could ignite in the event of a fire. [CCR Title 14 §1299.02(a)]

    SECTION 602— FIRE PROTECTION PLANS

    602.1 General. The code official is authorized to require the owner or owner’s authorized agent to provide a fire protection plan. The fire protection plan shall be prepared to determine the acceptability of fire protection and life safety measures designed to mitigate wildfire hazards presented for the property under consideration.

    The fire protection plan shall be prepared by a registered design professional, qualified landscape architect, qualified fire safety specialist or similar specialist acceptable to the code official and shall analyze the wildfire risk of the building, project, premises or region to recommend necessary changes.

    The code official is authorized to require a preliminary fire protection plan prior to the submission of a final fire protection plan.

  • CWUIC § 6-3 High relevance — show source text

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    FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

    602.3.2 Final fire protection plan. Final fire protection plan shall include items listed in Section 602.3.1 and the following: 1. A map identifying all proposed plants in the fuel modification zones with a legend that includes a symbol for each proposed plant species. The plan shall include specific information on each species proposed, including but not limited to: 1.1. The plant life-form;

    1.2. The scientific and common name; and

    1.3. The expected height and width for mature growth. 2. Identification of irrigated and nonirrigated zones. 3. Requirements for vegetation reduction around emergency access and evacuation routes. 4. Identification of points of access for equipment and personnel to maintain vegetation in common areas. 5. Legally binding statements regarding community responsibility for maintenance of fuel modification zones. 6. Legally binding statements to be included in covenants, conditions and restrictions regarding property owner responsibili- ties for vegetation maintenance.

    SECTION 603— VEGETATION PLAN

    603.1 General. Planting of vegetation for new landscaping shall be selected to reduce vegetation in proximity to a structure and to maintain vegetation as it matures.

    603.2 Application. All new plantings of vegetation in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Fire Hazard Severity Zone shall comply with Sections 603.3 through 603.4.2.1.

    603.3 Landscape plans. Landscape plans shall be provided when required by the code official. The landscape plan shall include devel- opment and maintenance requirements for the vegetation management zone adjacent to structures and roadways, and provide significant fire hazard reduction benefits for public and firefighting safety.

    603.3.1 Contents. Landscape plans shall contain the following: 1. Delineation of the 30-foot (9144 mm) and 100-foot (30 480 mm) fuel management zones from all structures. 2. Identification of existing vegetation to remain and proposed new vegetation. 3. Identification of irrigated areas. 4. A plant legend with both botanical and common names, and identification of all plant material symbols. 5. Identification of ground coverings within the 30-foot (9144 mm) zone.

    603.4 Vegetation. All new vegetation shall be fire-smart vegetation in accordance with this section.

    Exception: Trees classified as nonfire-smart vegetation complying with Section 603.4.2.1.

    To be considered fire-smart vegetation, vegetation must meet at least one of the following: 1. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation in an approved book, journal or listing from an approved organization. 2. Be identified as fire-smart vegetation by a licensed landscape architect with supporting justification. 3. Plants considered fire-smart vegetation and approved by the local enforcing agency.

  • CWUIC § 51178 High relevance — show source text

    (2) A local agency may, at its discretion, include areas within the jurisdiction of the local agency, not identified as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones by the State Fire Marshal, as moderate and high fire hazard severity zones, respectively. (3) A local agency shall not decrease the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the jurisdiction of the local agency, and, in exercising its discretion pursuant to paragraph (2), may only increase the level of fire hazard severity zone as identified by the State Fire Marshal for any area within the jurisdiction of the local

    agency. (c) The local agency shall transmit a copy of an ordinance adopted pursuant to subdivision (a) to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection within 30 days of adoption. (d) Changes made by a local agency to the recommendations made by the State Fire Marshal shall be final and shall not be rebut- table by the State Fire Marshal.

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    APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

    (e) The State Fire Marshal shall prepare and adopt a model ordinance that provides for the establishment of very high fire hazard severity zones. (f) Any ordinance adopted by a local agency pursuant to this section that substantially conforms to the model ordinance of the State Fire Marshal shall be presumed to be in compliance with the requirements of this section. (g) A local agency shall post a notice at the office of the county recorder, county assessor, and county planning agency identifying the location of the map provided by the State Fire Marshal pursuant to Section 51178. If the agency amends the map, pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) of this section, the notice shall instead identify the location of the amended map. 51181. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county’s general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179.

    51182. The State Fire Marshal shall periodically review the areas in the state identified as very high fire hazard severity zones pursuant to this chapter, and as necessary, shall make recommendations relative to very high fire hazard severity zones. This review shall coincide with the review of state responsibility area lands every five years and, when possible, fall within the time frames for each county’s general plan update. Any revision of areas included in a very high fire hazard severity zone shall be made in accordance with Sections 51178 and 51179.

  • CWUIC § 1.5 High relevance — show source text

    The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.

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    1 ADMINISTRATION

    DIVISION I

    CALIFORNIA ADMINISTRATION

    SECTION 1.1—GENERAL

    1.1.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code, may be cited as such, and will be referred to herein as “this code.” The California Wildland-Urban Interface Code is Part 7 of thirteen parts of the official compilation and publica- tion of the adoptions, amendment, and repeal of building regulations to the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, also referred to as the California Building Standards Code. This part incorporates by adoption of the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code of the International Code Council (ICC) with necessary California amendments.

    1.1.2 Purpose. The purpose of this code is to establish minimum requirements to reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire through the use of performance and prescriptive requirements for construction and development in all Fire Hazard Severity Zones in State Responsibility Areas (SRA), and Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, and increase the ability of buildings located in any Fire Hazard Severity Zone within State Responsibility Areas (SRA), or Wildland-Urban Inter- face (WUI) Areas, to resist the intrusion of flames or burning embers projected by a vegetation fire and contributes to a systematic reduction in conflagration losses and reduce the likelihood of life and property loss due to a wildfire.

    1.1.3 Scope. The provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, equip- ment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal, and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such building structures throughout the State of California.

    This code establishes regulations affecting or relating to buildings, structures, processes, premises, and a reasonable degree of life and property safeguards regarding: 1. The hazard of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling, or use of structures, materials, or devices. 2. Conditions hazardous to life, property, or public welfare in the use or occupancy of buildings, structures, or premises. 3. Fire hazards in the buildings, structures, orp on-premises from use of, occupancy of, or operation. 4. Matters related to the construction, extension, repair, alteration, or removal of fire suppression or alarm systems. 5. Conditions affecting the safety of firefighters and emergency responders during emergency operations.

  • CWUIC § 601.1 High relevance — show source text


    Title 19, Division 1]|||||||||||||||||||||||| |Chapter / Section|||||||||||||||||||||||| |601.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |601.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |601.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |602.1 –602.3.2|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |603.1 –603.4.2.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |604.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |604.2 –604.4|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |606.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |606.3|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |607.1|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |610|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |611|||X||||||||||||||||||||| |612|||X|||||||||||||||||||||

    • The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same. The state agency does not adopt sections identified by the following symbol: The Office of the State Fire Marshal’s adoption of this chapter or individual sections is applicable to structures regulated by other state agencies pursuant to Section 1.11.

    The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, Division 1.5 provisions that are found in the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code are not listed in the Matrix Adoption Tables as they are not within the State Fire Marshal’s authority to adopt. These provisions are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 14, Division 1.5 text for the code user’s convenience only and are identified in the body of the code by square brackets containing references to applicable Title 14 sections.

    2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 6-1

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    6-2 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    6 FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

    User notes:

    About this chapter: In addition to the building construction requirements in the California Building Code and California Residential Code, this chapter contains requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.

    The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.

  • CWUIC § 2.5.1.4 Medium relevance — show source text

    0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

    8 9 10

    FIRE-RESISTANCE RATING (HOURS)

    TABLE 2.5.1.4
    STEEL COLUMNS—CONCRETE ENCASEMENTS
    MINIMUM DIMENSION 10″ TO LESS THAN 12″    		 Col2 Col3 Col4 Col5 Col6 Col7 Col8 Col9 Col10
    ITEM
    CODE    		 MINIMUM
    DIMENSION    		 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS PERFORMANCE PERFORMANCE REFERENCE NUMBER REFERENCE NUMBER REFERENCE NUMBER NOTES REC.
    HOURS
    ITEM
    CODE    		 MINIMUM
    DIMENSION    		 CONSTRUCTION DETAILS LOAD TIME PRE-BMS-92 BMS-92 POST-BMS-92 POST-BMS-92 POST-BMS-92
    C-10-SC-1 10″ 10″ × 12″ concrete encased steel column;
    8″ × 6″ × 35 lbs “H” beam; protection: gravel
    aggregate concrete (3640 psi); 6″ × 4″—13 SWG
    mesh, 1″ below column surface.    		 90
    tons    		 3 hrs
    7 min    		 7 1, 2 3
    C-10-SC-2 10″ 10″ × 16″ column; 8″ × 6″ × 35 lbs “H” beam;
    protection: clay brick concrete (3630 psi);
    6″ × 4″—13 SWG mesh, 1″ below column
    surface.    		 90
    tons    		 4 hrs
    6 min    		 7 2 4
    C-10-SC-3 10″ 10″ × 12″ column; 8″ × 6″ × 35 lbs “H” beam;
    protection: crushed stone and sand concrete
    (3930 psi); 6″ × 4″—13 SWG mesh, 1″ below
    column surface.    		 90
    tons    		 3 hrs
    17 min    		 7 2 31/4
    C-10-SC-4 10″ 10″ × 12″ column; 8″ × 6″ × 35 lbs “H” beam;
    protection: crushed basalt and sand concrete
    (4350 psi); 6″ × 4″—13 SWG mesh, 1″ below
    column surface.    		 90
    tons    		 3 hrs
    22 min    		 7 2 31/3
    C-10-SC-5 10″ 10″ × 12″ column; 8″ × 6″ × 35 lbs
    “H” beam; protection: gravel aggregate
    concrete (5570 psi); 6″ × 4″—13 SWG mesh.    		 90
    tons    		 3 hrs
    39 min    		 7 2 31/2
    C-10-SC-6 10″ 10″ × 16″ column; 8″ × 6″ × 35 lbs “I” beam;
    protection: gravel concrete (4950 psi);
  • CWUIC § 609.2.6 Medium relevance — show source text

    on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

    FIRE PROTECTION REQUIREMENTS

    609.2.6 Maintenance of fuel breaks. Where a local jurisdiction requires fuel breaks, maintenance mechanisms shall be established to ensure the fire behavior objectives and thresholds are maintained over time.

    The mechanisms required shall be binding upon the property for which the fuel break is established, shall ensure adequate main- tenance levels, and may include: written legal agreements; permanent fees, taxes, or assessments; assessments through a homeowners’ association; or other funding mechanisms. [CCR T14 §1276.03(g) and (h)]

    609.2.7 Greenbelts, greenways, open spaces and parks. Where a greenbelt, greenway, open space, park, landscaped or natural area or portion thereof is intended to serve as a fuel break, the space or relevant portion thereof shall conform with the requirements in California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 1276.03. [CCR T14 §1276.04]

    SECTION 610—FIRE SAFE DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS

    610.1 General. Pursuant to Public Resources Code, Section 4290, all residential, commercial and industrial building construction within state responsibility areas approved after January 1, 1991, and within lands classified and designated as an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as defined in subdivision (i) of Section 51177 of the Government Code after July 1, 2021, shall comply with the SRA Fire Safe Development Regulations as specified in Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2.

    610.2 Subdivision map findings. Pursuant to Government Code (GC), Section 66474.02, before approving a tentative map, or a parcel map for which a tentative map was not required, for an area located in an SRA or an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, as both are defined in GC Section 51177, a legislative body of a county, except as provided in GC Section 66474.02(c), shall make findings regarding compliance with the SRA Fire Safe Regulations and the availability of structural fire protection and suppression services. These findings and accompanying map shall be transmitted to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and comply with the requirements in Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Article 1.

    SECTION 611—SUBDIVISION REVIEW SURVEY

    611.1 Subdivision identification. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 4290.5 and Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, Article 2, the Board, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal, shall survey local governments to identify existing subdivi- sions, as defined in Article 2, located in an SRA area or an LRA Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone without a secondary egress route that is at significant fire risk.

    611.2 Fire safety recommendations. The Board, in consultation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the local government that identified the subdivision, shall develop recommendations to improve the subdivision’s fire safety. The Board shall provide the final recommendations to the local government that identified the subdivision and to the residents of the subdivision.

Frequently asked questions

Who must receive the draft safety element or amendment?

The draft must be submitted to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection and to every local agency that provides fire protection to territory in the city or county, per § 612.2.

How long before adoption must the draft be submitted?

At least 90 days prior to the adoption or amendment of the safety element, as required by § 612.2.

Which areas trigger the safety-element review/update duty?

Areas mapped as State Responsibility Areas (SRA) or as Local Responsibility Area (LRA) Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones trigger the requirement in § 612.1.

Does § 612.1 set a fixed update interval?

No. § 612.1 requires the safety element be “reviewed and updated as necessary” to address fire risk; it does not impose a specific periodic interval in the text of that section.

Will the State Board respond to my draft?

Yes — the State Board will review the draft and may recommend changes (see § 612.3), and the local legislative body must consider and respond to any recommendations before adopting the safety element (see § 612.4).

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How and when to submit safety element drafts for review by the State Board of Forestry and local fire agencies?

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General Plan safety element and agency coordination

California Wildland-Urban Interface Code